Color, color, color

I use this on my rack:http://detours.us/product_info.php?products_id=477 so you can see, I'm not afraid of a little color. ;) I also had to look high and low to find purple bar tape. My road bikes are more tame, but the commuter is meant for utility and fun, and if lots of color makes me a little more visible, that's great because I'm sometimes on it in at night.

The detours bag is really excellent. I can fit my lunch plus more in it, and since it sits on top of the rack, I don't even notice it. It has reflective piping around it, and it has a spot to hang a blinky on the back, so it's great for dark commutes. The only thing that would make it better would be if it had a short attached handle, so it's easier to bring into shops.

Think about what color bottles you plan to use before choosing bottle cage color. I had pink bottle cage and pink bottles, but they were different pinks and didn't like the way they looked together. I eventually lost all pinkness on my bike other than handlebar tape, because I opted for a saddle that I actually liked to sit on ... (imagine that!) ... and because I opted for better quality, lighter, carbon bottle cages ... neither of which come in pink. However, I am always decked out in pink, so it's all good!

Congrats on the new bike. Sounds very purpley! :D

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

Think about what color bottles you plan to use before choosing bottle cage color. I had pink bottle cage and pink bottles, but they were different pinks and didn't like the way they looked together. I eventually lost all pinkness on my bike other than handlebar tape, because I opted for a saddle that I actually liked to sit on ... (imagine that!) ... and because I opted for better quality, lighter, carbon bottle cages ... neither of which come in pink. However, I am always decked out in pink, so it's all good!

Congrats on the new bike. Sounds very purpley! :D

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I am looking forward to when I can post a picture - I am unsure when that will be as my frame and fork are still in their packaging at my LBS. I just placed the deposit on my parts though, and I will have all of that paid off in 4-6 weeks :cool: Layaway is a great thing!

It is very purple, but not pastel at all. It really has to be seen as it is difficult to describe. Most of the other purple bikes I have seen were pastel, this purple is most decidedly not a pastel.

The more I think about it,I will probably just go with black accessories - that was the choice I made for the badge after discussing it with Waterford when they asked my preference between black and silver. I have silver cages on my LHT, but that goes well with the blue and the white lettering.

On a side note, last summer I was using Mountain Berry Accelerade until I discovered that I like the Lemon-Lime better. The Mountain Berry is deep blue in color and my water bottles are the usual see-through plastic. I was accused on a couple of club rides of choosing the Accelerade because it matched my bike! That actually wasn't the case, but it was funny :)

I'm anxious to see your bike Catrin... sounds incredible! Many years ago, I had a custom titanium bike built and like you, thought of trying to give it some color. Over the years, I've changed handlebar tape, tires, water bottle cages and the top cap for my headset. Two years ago, I even built a wheelset in orange...

Regardless of what you decide to do, make it yours and "keep it fresh". Can't wait to see some pics :p

Catrin, the group leader of my Tuesday morning all-female training group rides a Lemond race bike that is a deep metalic purple (no pastel shading at all) with logo lettering in yellow, handlebar tape in yellow and tires with a yellow stripe. The contrast of colors on her bike looks real good and the yellow gives her road visibility. You might think about yellow on your bike.

Purple is a beautiful color on a bike, and not very common. I am confident you will love the color when you get the bike.

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Originally Posted by DarcyInOregon

Catrin, the group leader of my Tuesday morning all-female training group rides a Lemond race bike that is a deep metalic purple (no pastel shading at all) with logo lettering in yellow, handlebar tape in yellow and tires with a yellow stripe. The contrast of colors on her bike looks real good and the yellow gives her road visibility. You might think about yellow on your bike.

Purple is a beautiful color on a bike, and not very common. I am confident you will love the color when you get the bike.

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Thanks Darcy - I am thinking that a flash of yellow will compliment it - but I want to actually SEE it first before I make my mind up. So far I've only seen a couple of inches of tubing peeking out of the packaging. They are wise in not wanting to unpack it until they are ready to put it together! I suspect the only accessory that I might add that won't be black would be the saddle bag...

It sounds like my frame's color is quite similar to your group leader.

Fuschia with purple are gorgeous together--maybe as an alternative to yellow? Your bike will be quite eye catching either way and you'll be the star on your steed. :cool:

By the way, the color of the year for 2011 is honeysuckle--a pinkish red color. :)

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Originally Posted by sundial

By the way, the color of the year for 2011 is honeysuckle--a pinkish red color. :)

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Color of the year from where?

I just noticed that one of Gunnar's current colors is Purple Pearl - while not quite as striking as what I chose, it is pretty. It was not a "current" color when I was in the planning/selection process or I might have selected it. I am not complaining though, I picked a winner even if it did cost a little more.

Pantone releases yearly color selections for the fashion and design industry and is considered THE authority on color.

I have seen red and purple..... and it looked surprisingly good together. It's hard to say though without seeing the frame color first.

I think depending on the purple.......pink, blues and yellow all look good.

As a Lakers fan, I am practically required by law to tell you that the accessories should be yellow/gold. :)

If I got a purple bike, I would probably go with a metallic (silver, but possibly gold) bottle cage or black. If you can get the exact same color bottle cage as the paint of your bike, that would work too, but if it's off by a bit it could look funny. Maybe you could buy purple touch-up paint from the manufacturer, paint a bottle cage, and match it exactly. :)

All of the bike accessories I've ever gotten have been black. I feel like they hide the dirt and grime well. It's also one of the reasons I opted to buy a black bike, as opposed to a lovely white bike of a similar model that was also in the running. I don't trust myself in keeping things immaculate, especially when I'm outdoors.